Switch



OCLy 3l, 1933. E N, JACOBl 1,932,735

Oct. 31, 1933. E, N, JACQBl l 1,932,735

SWITCH Filed Dec. 19, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fifa/227 L/imfn ASV @e Oct. 31, 1933. E, N JACOBl Bfa SWITCH Filed Dec. 19, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet ."5

@Wg/MWA) Patented Oct, s1, 1933 SWITCH Edward N. Jacobi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Briggs and Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware 'y Application December'v 19, v1928 Serial No. 326,933

27 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in switches and refers more particulariy to a combination ignition and iighting switch for automotive vehicles and the like.

Switches of this type are usually mounted on the dash hoard of the vehicle or at the lower end oi the steering column, and when so mounted its actuator extends upwardly through thc column to be controlled at the steering wheel.

v Eieretofore, the combining oi ignition and lighting switch instrumentalities in a single unit has necessitated a complicated construction due to the large number of combinations necessary and, therefore, this invention has as' an object to provide a switch mechanism ci he character described the desired number of combinations are obtained without complicating the design ci the switch.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision cia switch'mechanism oi the character described inV which the ignition switchk is substantiaiiy lfrom the lighting switch but is actuated hy the same control. v Another object of this invention resides,V in the provision-0i a switch mechanisrr of the char-aoter des ribed in, whichv the ignition switch is mounted within the usual enclosing case in which the lighting switch proper is provided with me for holding the ignition switch open during'ceitaincf its positions.

And a it ther object of this invention resides 'n the pro n'en Vof a switch mechanism oi the Lracter a:.c-scribed in which are provided r ally yieidably urging the ignition switch c closed position .and in which movement of actuator iultantously controls'the lighting switch eno.,movesthe ignition .switchV toits' open n whenso desired.

a still object' of this invention re- With the above and other obiects in View A as the escription proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combinmcn and arrangement oi parts' substani =y he ter described andrnorefparticularly by the appended ciaims, ing understood that such changes in the precise (Cl. ZOO-7) embodiment oi the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical emhodiment of my inventionconstruoted according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which: v

Figure 1 is a transverse, sectional View illus- 65 trating a switch mechanism embodying my invention, said view being taken on the plane of the line 1-1 of' Figure 2;

Figure 2 is an end View taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;V 0

Figure 3 is across sectional View taken' through Figure 1 on' the plane of the line 3 3;

liigurev 4 is a View similar toFgure 3 illustrating. the switch instrumentalites in another position; 5

Figure 5 is a perspectivev View of the actuating lever;

FigureY 6`is a perspective View of the actuator carrying plate or disc; f

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the actuator; 30

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the spider contacterl which is selectively engageable with the xed contactsof the terminal head, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, detail View taken through Figure 3 on the plane of the line 9-9. 85

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate like partsthroughout theseveral views, the numeral llrepresents the enclosing case in which the switch instrumentalities are conned and which in the ,present instance is illustrated as mounted at the back of a dashboard 11 which is apertured, as at 12, to permit the extension therethrough'of an actuating lever 13. The inner end of the lever 13 likewise extends through 95` an opening 14 inthe bottom'Y l5 of theenclosing case to be drivingly connected with the switch instrumentalities in a manner to be later descrilled.` The bottom 15 of the case is preferably struck inwardly, `as at 16, to provide a; bearing with which a laterally directed ange 17,v formed on the extreme inner end of the lever 13, is engageable.

The open side ofthe enclosing case 10 iscovered by a terminal head 18 preferably formed 105 of a pair of discs 19 made of fiber, or other like insulating material, in juxtaposition and maintained assembled with the case by a plurality of prongs or lips 20 extended from the wall of the case and struck over the edgeof the ter- 110 minal head as best illustrated in Figure 2. Two ber discs are used to facilitate manufacture as by so doing it is possible to stamp the separate discs from sheet material, as will be readily apparent to any one skilled in the art. Y

A plurality of fixed contacts 21 are disposed in counterbored apertures formed in the termina! head and have their inner faces or heads uah with the inner surface thereof and their outer ends passed through and riveted over terminal members 22. The contacts are arranged circumferentially about the axis of the switch mechanism and are located at predetermined points, and the terminals 22 are adapted to have conductors, not shown, connected therewith to lead to the different lighting iixtures of the vehicle with which the switch is used.

A substantially spider shaped contactor 23 having radial arms 24, the outer ends of which are cupped to form contactor fingers 25 is disposed within the enclosing case to be selectively engaged with the contacts 21. The contactor 23 is preferably stamped from relatively light metal and is held in position and strengthened by an actuator 26 likewise stamped from bendable metal but of relatively heavier stock.

`'Ilieactuator 26,` roughly, conforms to the shape oi. the contactor 23 and has laterally struck portions 27 which are engageable with the f cup shaped ngers 25 oi the contactor 23 to impart movement to the contactor.

`A mounting disc 28 preferably formed of nber or other like insulating material is fixed to the back of the actuator 26 by means of ears or lugs 29 struck rearwardly from the actuator. Two or the ears or lugs 29 pass through openings 30 in the disc and are struck over the opposite side thereof and the third is engaged in a notch or recess 31 formed in the edge of the disc 28 and is l also struck over the opposite side of the disc.

The disc is in turn carried by the actuating lever 13 being secured thereto in `a similar manner by having ears or lugs 32 which extend from the inner end of the lever passed through openings 33 in the disc and struck over its inner face. Thus it will be seen that the contactor 23 through the actuator 26 and the disc 28 is movable upon actuation of the lever 13.

Pressure is applied to the contactor 23 to insure good electrical connection between its contaeter fingers 25 and the contacts 21 by expansible springs 34 having one end engaging the inner face of the disc 28 and their other ends received within the cup shaped fingers 25.

The mechanism so far described constitutes the lighting switch. The ignition switch is disposed within the interior of the case 10 and is located adjacent the axis of the switch mechanism. The terminals of the ignition switch are L termed by lugs 35 and 36 extended into the interior ofthe case through the terminal head and respectively carried by an ignition terminal 37 and a battery terminal 38. The terminal member 37 is secured to the head 18 by a rivet 39 or the like having its head received in a countersunk aperture, not shown, in the back of the terminal head and the terminal member 38 is secured in position by a pair of ears or lugs 40 struck from its opposite sides and passed through suitable apertures in the terminal head to be turned over at its inner side, as illustrated.

The lugs 35 and 36 are adapted to be electrically connected by a V shaped conductor 41 preferably formed oi a relatively thin flexible strip of conducting material and having one end at all times in engagement with the lug 36. The ends of the flexible conductor 41 have rectangular openings 42 and 42', which when the contactor is in position align with similarly shaped openings 43 in the ends of the lugs 35 and 36, to receive a member 44 formed of insulating material.

The member 44, by passing through the openings in the lugs 35 and 36 and in the ends of the contactor, maintains the contactor against displacement; and by means now about to be described moves one end of the contactor to electrically disconnect the lugs 35 and 36.

The lower end of the member 44 is freely slidable in the adjacent openings 42' and 43 in the lug 36 and notches or recesses 44 formed in opposite sides of the member, at a medial point, are adapted to receive the ends of the opening 42 in the other end of the contactor, whereby movement of the member 44 moves the upper or free end of the contactor.

The length of the opening 42 is substantially equal to the distance between the recesses or grooves 44', and a slot 45 extending from the outer end of the opening to the end of the contactor permits the insertion of the member 44 into the opening, the relatively pliable split ends forming the sides of the slot, flexing as will be readily apparent.

An expansile spring 46 surrounds the member 44 and is confined between the ends of the U shaped contactor to at all times yieldably urge the free end thereof toward engagement with the lug 35 and to insure good electrical connection between its other end and the member 36, and a suitable washer 47 is positioned between the free end of the contactor 4l and the adjacent end of the spring to prevent localized pressure on the flexible contactor.

The upper end of the member 44 is preferably rounded and is adapted to be engaged by a cam 48 formed on the actuator 26 by pressing outwardly a portion of its side, to be moved thereby to disconnect the terminals of the ignition switch when the lighting switch is in certain ot its positions. The major portion of the cam 48 is disposed circumferentially with respect to the axis of the mechanism so that no movement is imparted to the member 44 after the cam is in full engagement therewith but one end thereof is directed outwardly, as at 49, to have its outermost end positioned outwardly oi the rounded end of the member 44 when in its extended position so that the cam readily rides onto it as the actuator is rotated.

The position of the cam with respect to the non-rotatable member 44 and the xed contacts, with which the contactor 23 is engageable is such that it is engaged with the member 44 whenever the switch is in its o position illustrated in Figure 3 and Whenever it is moved to its parking" position or that directly adjacent the oir position and obtained by movement of the lever 13 toward the left with respect to Figure 3. During all other positions of the switch, one of which is illustrated in Figure 4, the actuator is turned so that the cam 48 is free of the end of the plunger to permit the spring 46 to maintain the ignition circuit closed through the contactor 41.

During the depression of the member 44 by the cam 48 to electrically disconnect the switch terminals 35 and 36, the spring 46 applies a force to the actuator through the medium of the cam 48, The application of the force of the spring to .the actuator tends te shift the entire actuator sidewise within the casing. To offset this tendency, andto insure freedom of action during the time the ignition switch Vis held open against the action of its spring 46, a lug 28 is formed on the b'er disc 28 directly opposite the cam 48. This lug 28 bears against the adjacent sidewall or" the casingandY supports the actuator against the force of the spring. Being cemparatively short, the engagement of the lug 28 with the casing side wall does not add any appreciable rictionand does not retard free actuation of the switch.

The contact pressure springs 34 which are confined between the cup shaped fingers and the ilat plate 26 of the driver oppose any tendency en the part of the spring 46 te tip the actuator about the point of engagement of the lug 28 with the casing side wall.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention or the character described appertains, that I provide an improved construction for a combination ignition and lighting switch in which simple means are provided for maintaining the ignition circuit open upon movementl of the switch to either its off or parking positions and in which the ignition circuit is closed throughout all of'the other positionsef the lighting switch.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a switch mechanism of the character described, a terminal head, fixed contacts carried by the terminal head, switch instrumentalities selectively-engageable with the iixed contacts, means for moving said switch instrumentalities te different positions, a pair of switch terminals carried by said'terminal head, a contact carrier member carried ,by both of said terminals, a contaeter carried by said carrier and adapted to bridge the terminals and means te move the carrier upon movement of the switch instrumentalities whereby the contacter is moved into and out of engagement with the switch terminals.

2. In a switch mechanism of the character described, a terminal head, iixed contacts carried bythe terminal head, a contacter selectively engageable with the xed contacts, an actuator for moving the contacter to different positions, a pair of switch terminals carried by the terminal head, a second contacter 'carried by beth of said switch terminals and adapted to electrically connect the same, and means carried by the actuator for moving the second contacter to disconnect the switch terminals when the rst mentioned contacter is moved to certain of its positions.

3. In a switch mechanism of the character described, a terminal head, iiXed contacts carried by the terminal head, a contacter selectively engageablc with the iixed contacts, an actuator for moving the contacter to different positions, a pair ei switch terminals carried by the terminal head, a flexible metal strip to electrically connect the switch terminals, means normally yieldably urging the end portionsA of the flexible strip into engagement with both of said switch terminals, a member operable te move one end portion of the strip out `of contact with its respective switch terminal, and means carried by the actuatorv for moving saidmember.

4. In a yswitch mechanism of the character described, a terminal head, fixed contacts carried by the terminal head, a contacter selectively engageable withvthe xed contacts, an actuator for moving the contacter to different positions, a pair of switch terminals carried by the terminal head,k a flexible conductor te electrically Aconnect the switch terminals, means normally yieldably holding the conductor in electrical engagement with both of said switch terminals, a member operable to move the conductor out o contact with one of the switch terminals, and cam means carried by the actuator for moving said member.

5. In a switchfmechanism of the character described, a terminal head, xed contacts carried by the terminal head, a contacter selectively engageable with the fixed contacts, an actuator ormoving the contacter to different positions, terminal members carried by the terminal head and having a portion extended from the terminal head te provide switch contacts, a secondcentacter carried by said switch contacts and normally yieldably bridging the same, and means carried by the actuator for moving the second contacter te disconnect the switch contacts when the first-mentioned contacter is moved to certain of its positions.

6. In a switch device of the character described including an enclosing case, a terminal head closing the case and having xed contacts, a contacter selectively engageable with the xed contacts, an actuator for moving the contacter to different positions, terminal members mounted on the outside of the terminal head and having through to project into the enclosing case and ferm switch contacts, a second contacter` carried by said switch contacts and normally yieldably urged te bridge the same, and meanscarried by the actuator for moving the second contaeterk out of engageemnt with the switch contacts when the iirst-mentioned contacter is moved to certain of its positions.

7. A combinationl lighting and ignition switch of the character described including an enclosing case, a terminal head closing the case and having a plurality of fixed contacts mounted on the terminal head and arranged in an arc about the axis of the enclosing case, a contacter rotatably `mounted for selective engagement with the Xed contacts, an actuator for imparting rotation to the contacter, a switch including a pair of spaced stationary contacts and a movable contactor, said last named contacter being carried by the stationary contacts, means constantly urging said last named contacter into engagement with both of said stationary conswitch member adapted to bridge the switch terminals, a member slidably mounted'in the aligned apertures of the terminals and connected with the movable switch member to open the ignition switch, upon being moved in one direction, spring means for yieldably urging the portions extended there-` movable switch member and the member connected therewith in the opposite direction to close the ignition switch, and cam means carriad bythe actuator for moving said member and opening the ignition switch when the contactor is in certain of its positions.

9. In an ignition switch, a casing having a closure. a pair of spaced switch terminals fixed to said closure and having aligned apertures therein, a member of insulating material slidable in said apertures, a flexible conductor carriad by said member to electrically bridge said terminals when said member is in a predetermined position, and means to move said member out of said position to electrically disconneet the conductor from one of said terminals.

10. In an ignition switch, a casing having a closure, a pair of spaced switch terminals, fixed to said closure and having aligned apertures therein, a bar passing through said apertures, a conductor carried by said bar and confined between the terminals to electrically bridge said terminals, a fixed connection between the bar and part of the conductor whereby movement of said bar in one direction disrupts the electx'ical connection between the terminals, and means to move said bar.

`11. In an ignition switch, a casing having a closure, a pair of spaced switch terminals fixed to said closure and having aligned apertures therein, a bar ot electrical insulating material passing through said apertures, means carried by said bar to electrically bridge said terminals upon movement of said bar to a predetermined position, and means to move said bar.

12. In an ignition switch, a casing having a closure, a pair oi spaced switch terminals fixed tomaid closure havingallgned apertures therein, a bar of electrical insulating material passing through said apertures, means carried by said bar to electrically bridge said terminals upon movement of said bar to a predetermined position, a spring constantly urging said means into contact with one o! said terminals and means to move said bar to and from said position.

13. In an ignition switch, a casing having a closure member, a pair of spaced switch terminals fixed to said closure and having aligned apertures therein, a bar of electrical insulating material passing through said apertures, a metallic strip slidably mounted on said bar at one end thereof and xed to said bar at the opposite end., means constantly urging said strip into contact with one of said terminals, moans to move the other end of said metallic strip into contact with said other terminal.

14. In a switch mechanism of the character described including a terminal head, fixed contacts carried by said terminal head, switch instrumcntalities selectively engageable with the nxed contacts, means for moving said switch inctrumentalities to diilerent positions, switch terminals carried by the terminal head having aligned apertures therein, a bar of insulating material mounted for movement in said aligned apertures, a contactor mounted on said bar and adapted to bridge said terminals in one position thereof, means whereby the contactor is moved to connect said terminals when the switch inatrumentalities are moved to certain oi their positions.

15.` In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, a pair of spaced switch contacts carried by one wall of the casing and disposed within the casing, a bridging contactor adapted to electrically bridge said switch contacts, a member connected with the bridging contactor and operable upon movement in one direction to disconnect the contactor from one of the contacts, a spring to oppose such movement of said member, an actuator having a part disposed within the casing engageable upon movement to a predetermined position with said member to move the same against the action of said spring, and means connected with said actuator and engageable with one inner wall of the casing to support said part of the actuator against the reaction force of the spring.

16. In a switch mechanism of the character described, a casing, a terminal head closing the casing, stationary contacts carried by the terminal head, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing selectively engageable with the stationary contacts, an actuator for said switch instrumentalities, a pair of spaced switch contacts carried by the terminal head and disposed within the casing, a bridging contactor to electrically bridge said switch contacts, a member connected with said bridging contactor and operable upon movement in one direction to disconnect the bridging contactor from one of said contacts, a spring to oppose such movement of said member, a cam part carried by the actuator engageable with said member when the actuator and the switch instrumcntalities are in certain positions to move said member against the action of said spring, and means carried by the actuator and engageable with an inner wall of the casing to provide a support for the actuator against the reaction force of said spring.

17. In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, a switch device within the enclosing casing comprising a movable contactor normally in a closed position, a spring to yieldably hold said contactor in its normally closed position, an actuator movable within the casing and having a part operable against the action of said spring to move the contactor to its open position, and means connected with the actuator and engageable with an inner wall oi the casing to support the actuator against the reaction force of the spring.

18. In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing, actuating means for the rotatable switch instrumentalities including an insulating member and a handle connected with the insulating member, an auxiliary switch device within the casing including a movable contactor normally in closed position, a spring to yieldably hold the contactor in closed position, a member operable against the action of the spring to move the contactor out of closed position, and cam means carried by the insulating member and operable upon movement of said member by the handle to a predetermined position to move the contactor actuating member against the action oi' said spring.

19. In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing, actuating means for the rotatable switch instrumentalties including an insulating member and a handle connected with the insulating member, an auxiliary switch device within the casing including a movable contactor normally in closed position, a spring to yieldably hold the contactor in closed position, a member operable against the 150 action of the spring to move the contactor out of closed position, and cam means carried by the insulating member and operable upon movement oi said member by the handle to a predetermined position to move the contactor actuating member against the action of said spring, and said insulated member being engageable with an inner wall of the casing to be supported thereby against the reaction force of the spring.

20. In a switch mechansm of the character described, an enclosing casing, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing, actuating means for said switch instrumentalities comprising, an insulated plate rotatable within the casing, means to turn said plate from without the casing, a driver carried by the plato and engaging the switch instrumentalities, an auxiliary switch device within the casing including spaced stationary contacts and a movable contactor normally electrically bridging said stationary contacts, a member operable to move the contactor out of its bridging position, and a cam on the driver operable to actuate said last named member upon movement of the driver with the actuating means to a predetermined position.

21. In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing, actuating means for said switch instrumentalities comprising, an insulated plate rotatable within the casing, means to turn said plate from without the casing, a driver carried by the plate and engaging the switch instrumentalities, an auxiliary switch device within the casing including spaced statonary contacts, and a movable contactor normally electrically bridging said stationary contacts, a member operable to move the contactor out of its bridging postion, a cam on the driver operable to actuate said last named member upon movement of the driver with the actuating means to a predetermined position, a spring to oppose movement of said member to move the contactor out of its bridging position, said spring tending to shift the insulated plate and driver out of their normal positions upon engagement of the cam means with said member, and means whereby the reaction force of the spring imparted to the driver andinsulated plate is taken upby the casing directly to hold said driver and plate against shifting.

22. In a switch device of the character described, a casing, rotatable switch instrumentalities within the casing, actuating means for the switch instrumentalities including a rotatable driving element, means to turn said driving element from without the casing, an auxiliary switch device within the casing including a movable contactor normally in closed position, a spring to yieldably maintain said contactor in closed position, a member connected with the contractor and operable upon movement in one direction to move the contactor against the action of the spring, a part carried by the rotatable driving element and engageable with said last named member to move the same against the action oi said spring, whereby the reaction force of the spring is applied to the driving element, means on said driving element engageable with an inner wall of the casing to support the driving element against movement by the reaction force of said spring, said reaction forcetending to tilt the driving element about its engagement with the casing, and contact pressure springs between the switch instrumentalities and the rotatable driving element to aiord contact pressure for the switch instrumentalities and to counteract the tendency of the rst named spring to tilt the driving element.

23. In a switch mechanism including a plurality of stationary contacts, a movable contactor having a plurality of spaced contacts movable into selective engagement with the iixed contacts, and a driver to actuate said movable contactor, said driver having a substantially iiat wall coeXtensive with the contactor and having outstruck flanges extending from the wall to embrace the spaced contacts directly adjacent their engagement with the xed contacts.

2e. In a switch device of the character dea terminal head, xed contacts carried by the terminal head, a plurality of Yconnected movable contacts selectively engageable with the contacts, and means to actuate said movable contacts comprising an all metal driver having means Jformed integral therewith to substantially embrace the spaced movable contacts adjacent the vterminal head.

25. In a switch mechanism of the character described, a terminal head, fixed contacts carried by the terminal head, a movable contactor having a piurality of spaced substantially cupshaped contact points selectively engageable with the contacts, a driver for said movable contactor comprising a plate and means on the plate engaging said substantially cup-shaped contact points near the terminal head to apply the driving force of the driver to the movable contactor closely adjacent the terminal head, and contact pressure springs received in the substantially cup-shaped contact points and coniined between the bottoms of said cup-shaped contact points and the plate.

2.6. In a switch mechanism of the character described, an enclosing casing, a terminal head providing a closure for the casing,y stationary contacts on the terminal head, a movable contactor Within the casing selectively engageable with the stationary contacts, and means to actuate said movable contactor comprising a plate oi insulating material, a metal driver attached to said plate and having a plurality of laterally directed anges substantially embracing spaced portions of the contactor to impart sidewise movement to the contactor upon actuation of the plate, contact pressure springs conned between the contactor and said driver, and a handle projecting through an opening in one wall of the casing and attached to the plate.

27. A switch mechanism of the character described comprising, a substantially cup-shaped enclosing casing having an opening in its bottom wall, a terminal headlclosing the open front of the casing, stationarycontacts on the terminal head, a movable contactor within the casing selectively engageable with the stationary contacts, actuating means for the contactor comprising, a disc of insulating material receiving support from the apertured bottom Wall of the casing, an all metal driver attached to the insulated disc and having flanges projecting therefrom to substantially embrace spaced portions of the contactor and transmit sidewise motion o f the disc to the contactor adjacent the terminal head, contact pressure springs conned between portions of the contactor and the driver, and a handle projecting into the casing through the aperture in its bottom wall and attached to the insulated disc.

' EDWARD N. JACOBI. 

